With Superman decision imminent, Warner goes after attorney

Warner Bros. has filed a series of explosive allegations against its longtime legal nemesis as a key decision looms that could affect its ownership of Superman.

The Burbank studio's DC Comics unit said in a legal filing Wednesday in Los Angeles federal court that attorney Marc Toberoff, who has represented the heirs of Superman creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster in their eight-year fight to regain control of the Man of Steel character, has engaged in "willful concealment of evidence."

Warner Bros.' attorneys and Toberoff argued at a hearing last month over requests for summary judgment in the Shuster heirs' effort to terminate Warner Bros.' copyright to the character. A decision is expected very soon.

In 2008, a judge ruled in favor of the heirs of Siegel that they could reclaim control of 50% of the Superman rights owned by Warner Bros.